Rhode Island Police Chiefs Remind Motorists to Drive Sober

July 01, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2024

Increased patrols throughout the state will target and apprehend impaired drivers this holiday week

The Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association today urged motorists to drive sober and reminded them that extra patrols will be on the road to identify and arrest impaired drivers. Departments will be highlighting impaired driving messages on social media throughout the holiday week and urge Rhode Islanders to share posts to remind friends and family to celebrate responsibly. Police departments from across Rhode Island have extra impaired driving patrols on duty all week with funding from NHTSA and support from the RIDOT Office of Highway Safety,

“The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate and we are asking Rhode Islanders to help us keep our roads safe by driving sober and reminding their friends and family to do the same,” said Colonel Bradford Connor, President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and Chief of Police for Warwick. “Our message is very simple: if you are planning to use alcohol or cannabis, do not drive. Across the state there will be extra patrols out looking for impaired drivers."

"Whether you are celebrating at big events in Bristol or Providence or are getting together with friends at the beach, your responsibility is the same and you need to make a plan to get home safely: designate a driver, use ride share or stay where you are. If you drive impaired, you are risking your life and the lives of others on the road," added Connor.

All are encouraged to like and share posts from the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association's social media channels.

Facebook: @RICHIEFSOFPOLICE

Instagram: @ripolicechiefs

X: @ripolicechiefs

According to NHTSA, from 2018 to 2022, 2,228 people died in motor vehicle crashes during the holiday period, and 39% of those drivers were drunk. In 2022 alone, 487 people died in traffic crashes during the holiday period, and 40% of those fatalities were in drunk driving crashes.

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Note: Chiefs are available for live interviews all week.

Contact:

Cara Cromwell

(401) 440-0090

cara@cromwellpublicaffairs.com